The AG66ce is an elegant and versatile Grand Auditorium offering instant response, clear middle frequencies, and great clarity. The Grand Auditorium’s narrow waist helps to accentuate trebles while the wide lower bout generates plenty of air volume for bass response, creating a dynamic and warm tonal landscape suitable for all playing styles.
The FS6 forward shifted bracing pattern allows for a larger soundboard area to heighten vibration, which is aided by a high-quality African Mahogany top and premium components throughout, all working together to deliver an engaging playing experience.
This cutaway model allows for easy access up the neck, and is finished in our flawless Shadowburst and fitted with the LR Baggs StagePro Bronze. The StagePro Bronze is a small-footprint side-mounted EQ incorporating the renowned LR Baggs Element under-saddle pickup. This is a low-profile unit with a large backlit tuner, volume, bass and treble controls and phase. The battery box is built into the end pin jack compartment for easy access with a simple push to open and change batteries.
Alvarez Artist Series represents our commitment to quality and care. Our goal is to create an instant bond between you and your guitar through meticulous design in bracing, voicing and overall construction. Every component—from our bi-level bridge to our solid bridge plates and neck blocks—is carefully considered to deliver the best response possible from solid-top construction.
Artist Series guitars are responsive with impressive projection and balance that make them both rewarding and inspiring to play.
With a huge selection of body shapes and wood configurations, Artist Series has a guitar for everyone. For a more focused, woody tone, choose a Mahogany top. For a broader, more open projection, choose Sitka. For a warm response to a lighter, melodic touch, choose Cedar.
All of our solid tops are selected by our team and graded independently of our suppliers. If it isn’t worthy, it isn’t used. Our laminated backs and sides are uniquely constructed with Mahogany as our middle layer, and our inner and outer layers are always matched.
Artist guitars strike the right balance between strength and vibration, crafting a voice to both inspire and give players “tools in the tone.” Alongside this approach to development lies our respect for sourcing, preparation and nurturing the wood we use to make our guitars. No matter how considered design may be, it can only be as good as the wood we use to realize them.
Our all-solid wood tops, backs and sides, as well as the mahogany used for our necks, go through a curing process developed over years to create stability, strength and tonal benefits. Depending on the wood and its use, this process takes many months or even years for some of our models.
After months-long seasoning, we perform an extra drying stage in thermo-kilns to further enhance wood stability and improve resonance. We call this process ATR—Advanced Tonal Response. ATR™ is a form of torrefaction—oxygen controlled, vacuum curing at special temperatures to remove more moisture and volatiles such as saps and sugars from the wood.
This does two things:
ATR™ makes our wood more stable when exposed to adverse dry or humid climates. While we can’t stop the effects of dryness or moisture saturation that can damage guitars, ATR™ goes a long way in helping our guitars become more resilient. Guitars will move or change according to the environment they are in and are more likely to move within the first two years from their production. A guitar usually becomes drier as it ages; this is one of the reasons why players often like the sound of an older guitar. ATR™ advances the natural, post-build drying process so the wood behaves as if it were more mature, stable, and resonant from the first day it is used.
The effects of ATR™ are also audible in the instrument. The biggest difference is the clarity and separation between notes and the overall response of the guitar. As the top is drier, it’s also quicker, more resonant, more open, even louder. New guitars can sometimes take time to reach this state as the wood dries over the years. ATR accelerates this effect to deliver a more sophisticated and complex voicing from day one.
Our caring approach to development comes from one unwavering goal: To deliver the best guitars in the market at every price point—instruments of a truly remarkable value that offer an unparalleled player experience.
Thank you for choosing Alvarez.
Alvarez Artist Series ‘66 models are beautifully finished with a deep glass-like shine. Our thin Shadowburst gloss on Mahogany brings out the full aesthetic of the wood to create a warm, premium vibe to match its tone. Our mahogany top guitars have a responsive and focused voice with strong mids and exceptional clarity, and they perform wonderfully for recording and live work.
This cutaway model allows for easy access up the neck and is fitted with the LR Baggs StagePro Bronze. The StagePro Bronze is a small-footprint side-mounted EQ incorporating the renowned LR Baggs Element under-saddle pickup. This is a low-profile unit with a large backlit tuner, volume, bass and treble controls and phase. The battery box is built into the end pin jack compartment for easy access with a simple push to open and change batteries.
Alvarez Artist Series represents our commitment to quality and care. Our goal is to create an instant bond between you and your guitar through meticulous design in bracing, voicing and overall construction. Every component—from our bi-level bridge to our solid bridge plates and neck blocks—is carefully considered to deliver the best response possible from solid-top construction.
Artist Series guitars are responsive with impressive projection and balance that make them both rewarding and inspiring to play.
With a huge selection of body shapes and wood configurations, Artist Series has a guitar for everyone. For a more focused, woody tone, choose a Mahogany top. For a broader, more open projection, choose Sitka. For a warm response to a lighter, melodic touch, choose Cedar.
All of our solid tops are selected by our team and graded independently of our suppliers. If it isn’t worthy, it isn’t used. Our laminated backs and sides are uniquely constructed with Mahogany as our middle layer, and our inner and outer layers are always matched.
Artist guitars strike the right balance between strength and vibration, crafting a voice to both inspire and give players “tools in the tone.” Alongside this approach to development lies our respect for sourcing, preparation and nurturing the wood we use to make our guitars. No matter how considered design may be, it can only be as good as the wood we use to realize them.
Our all-solid wood tops, backs and sides, as well as the mahogany used for our necks, go through a curing process developed over years to create stability, strength and tonal benefits. Depending on the wood and its use, this process takes many months or even years for some of our models.
After months-long seasoning, we perform an extra drying stage in thermo-kilns to further enhance wood stability and improve resonance. We call this process ATR—Advanced Tonal Response. ATR™ is a form of torrefaction—oxygen controlled, vacuum curing at special temperatures to remove more moisture and volatiles such as saps and sugars from the wood.
This does two things:
ATR™ makes our wood more stable when exposed to adverse dry or humid climates. While we can’t stop the effects of dryness or moisture saturation that can damage guitars, ATR™ goes a long way in helping our guitars become more resilient. Guitars will move or change according to the environment they are in and are more likely to move within the first two years from their production. A guitar usually becomes drier as it ages; this is one of the reasons why players often like the sound of an older guitar. ATR™ advances the natural, post-build drying process so the wood behaves as if it were more mature, stable, and resonant from the first day it is used.
The effects of ATR™ are also audible in the instrument. The biggest difference is the clarity and separation between notes and the overall response of the guitar. As the top is drier, it’s also quicker, more resonant, more open, even louder. New guitars can sometimes take time to reach this state as the wood dries over the years. ATR accelerates this effect to deliver a more sophisticated and complex voicing from day one.
Our caring approach to development comes from one unwavering goal: To deliver the best guitars in the market at every price point—instruments of a truly remarkable value that offer an unparalleled player experience.
Thank you for choosing Alvarez.
The AED66ce is a lively dreadnought that delivers a warm, focused tone from its all-Mahogany construction. Its understated cosmetics make for a striking aesthetic, enhanced by our standard-width bevel armrest made from Ebony.
The FS6 forward shifted bracing pattern allows for a larger soundboard area to heighten vibration, which is aided by a high-quality solid African Mahogany top and premium components throughout, all working together to deliver an engaging playing experience.
This cutaway model allows for easy access up the neck and is fitted with the LR Baggs StagePro Bronze. The StagePro Bronze is a small-footprint side-mounted EQ incorporating the renowned LR Baggs Element under-saddle pickup. This is a low-profile unit with a large backlit tuner, volume, bass and treble controls and phase. The battery box is built into the end pin jack compartment for easy access with a simple push to open and change batteries.
Alvarez Artist Elite is our series of solid-top guitars with a custom style vibe made with premium materials and appointments. Exotic woods, bevel armrests and wood bindings give the series a rich aesthetic, enhanced by a flawless gloss finish, radiant and thinly applied, to increase response.
Artist Elite features tonewoods such as African Mahogany, Macassar Ebony, East Indian Rosewood, Acacia and Flamed Maple, framed in Ebony, Rosewood or Maple binding. We craft a slim armrest on our Grand Auditoriums with a slightly thicker bevel on the Dreadnought for more comfortable playing experience. All Elites are cutaway, acoustic-electric models, fitted with the LR Baggs StagePro Bronze.
The StagePro Bronze is a small-footprint side-mounted EQ incorporating the renowned LR Baggs Element under-saddle pickup. This is a low-profile unit with a large backlit tuner, volume, bass and treble controls and phase. The battery box is built into the end pin jack compartment for easy access with a simple push to open and change batteries.
All of our solid tops are selected by our team and graded independently of our suppliers. If it isn’t worthy, it isn’t used. Our laminated backs and sides are uniquely constructed with Mahogany as our middle layer, and our inner and outer layers are always matched.
Artist Elite guitars strike the right balance between strength and vibration, crafting a voice to both inspire and give players “tools in the tone.” Alongside this approach to development lies our respect for sourcing, preparation and nurturing the wood we use to make our guitars. No matter how considered design may be, it can only be as good as the wood we use to realize them.
Our all-solid wood tops, backs and sides, as well as the mahogany used for our necks, go through a curing process developed over years to create stability, strength and tonal benefits. Depending on the wood and its use, this process takes many months or even years for some of our models.
After months-long seasoning, we perform an extra drying stage in thermo-kilns to further enhance wood stability and improve resonance. We call this process ATR—Advanced Tonal Response. ATR™ is a form of torrefaction—oxygen controlled, vacuum curing at special temperatures to remove more moisture and volatiles such as saps and sugars from the wood.
This does two things:
ATR™ makes our wood more stable when exposed to adverse dry or humid climates. While we can’t stop the effects of dryness or moisture saturation that can damage guitars, ATR™ goes a long way in helping our guitars become more resilient. Guitars will move or change according to the environment they are in and are more likely to move within the first two years from their production. A guitar usually becomes drier as it ages; this is one of the reasons why players often like the sound of an older guitar. ATR™ advances the natural, post-build drying process so the wood behaves as if it were more mature, stable, and resonant from the first day it is used.
The effects of ATR™ are also audible in the instrument. The biggest difference is the clarity and separation between notes and the overall response of the guitar. As the top is drier, it’s also quicker, more resonant, more open, even louder. New guitars can sometimes take time to reach this state as the wood dries over the years. ATR accelerates this effect to deliver a more sophisticated and complex voicing from day one.
Our caring approach to development comes from one unwavering goal: To deliver the best guitars in the market at every price point—instruments of a truly remarkable value that offer an unparalleled player experience.
Thank you for choosing Alvarez.
Our Artist Series Dreadnoughts are crafted to achieve outstanding levels of fit, finish, and tonal ability. They are powerful, articulate and voiced to get the best from the Dreadnought body mass through our FS6, forward-shifted, scalloped bracing system. Sonically, they have a broad projection with clear, sonorous bass frequencies and lively trebles.
The Artist Series AD66ce is a powerful, responsive mahogany top guitar with a focused voice, strong mids and exceptional clarity, finished with a deep glass-like shine. Our thin Shadowburst gloss on Mahogany brings out the full aesthetic of the wood to create a warm, premium vibe to match its tone. This guitar performs wonderfully for recording and live work.
This cutaway model allows for easy access up the neck and is fitted with the LR Baggs StagePro Bronze. The StagePro Bronze is a small-footprint side-mounted EQ incorporating the renowned LR Baggs Element under-saddle pickup. This is a low-profile unit with a large backlit tuner, volume, bass and treble controls and phase. The battery box is built into the end pin jack compartment for easy access with a simple push to open and change batteries.
Alvarez Artist Series represents our commitment to quality and care. Our goal is to create an instant bond between you and your guitar through meticulous design in bracing, voicing and overall construction. Every component—from our bi-level bridge to our solid bridge plates and neck blocks—is carefully considered to deliver the best response possible from solid-top construction.
Artist Series guitars are responsive with impressive projection and balance that make them both rewarding and inspiring to play.
With a huge selection of body shapes and wood configurations, Artist Series has a guitar for everyone. For a more focused, woody tone, choose a Mahogany top. For a broader, more open projection, choose Sitka. For a warm response to a lighter, melodic touch, choose Cedar.
All of our solid tops are selected by our team and graded independently of our suppliers. If it isn’t worthy, it isn’t used. Our laminated backs and sides are uniquely constructed with Mahogany as our middle layer, and our inner and outer layers are always matched.
Artist guitars strike the right balance between strength and vibration, crafting a voice to both inspire and give players “tools in the tone.” Alongside this approach to development lies our respect for sourcing, preparation and nurturing the wood we use to make our guitars. No matter how considered design may be, it can only be as good as the wood we use to realize them.
Our all-solid wood tops, backs and sides, as well as the mahogany used for our necks, go through a curing process developed over years to create stability, strength and tonal benefits. Depending on the wood and its use, this process takes many months or even years for some of our models.
After months-long seasoning, we perform an extra drying stage in thermo-kilns to further enhance wood stability and improve resonance. We call this process ATR—Advanced Tonal Response. ATR™ is a form of torrefaction—oxygen controlled, vacuum curing at special temperatures to remove more moisture and volatiles such as saps and sugars from the wood.
This does two things:
ATR™ makes our wood more stable when exposed to adverse dry or humid climates. While we can’t stop the effects of dryness or moisture saturation that can damage guitars, ATR™ goes a long way in helping our guitars become more resilient. Guitars will move or change according to the environment they are in and are more likely to move within the first two years from their production. A guitar usually becomes drier as it ages; this is one of the reasons why players often like the sound of an older guitar. ATR™ advances the natural, post-build drying process so the wood behaves as if it were more mature, stable, and resonant from the first day it is used.
The effects of ATR™ are also audible in the instrument. The biggest difference is the clarity and separation between notes and the overall response of the guitar. As the top is drier, it’s also quicker, more resonant, more open, even louder. New guitars can sometimes take time to reach this state as the wood dries over the years. ATR accelerates this effect to deliver a more sophisticated and complex voicing from day one.
Our caring approach to development comes from one unwavering goal: To deliver the best guitars in the market at every price point—instruments of a truly remarkable value that offer an unparalleled player experience.
Thank you for choosing Alvarez.
The MG66CE is beautiful and powerful yet understated, with clean lines and minimal decoration. This design language allows the beautiful solid African mahogany top to take center stage, shimmering under a flawless gloss finish.
Sonically, this guitar is everything you would expect from an all-solid Grand Auditorium mahogany body. It has been designed to deliver a strong and articulate voicing, instant response and more open projection than is normally associated with hardwood tops. Bass frequencies are clear and robust, and the mahogany delivers strong, woody tones with lots of middle frequency, sparkling trebles and boundless energy, making this guitar a joy to play.
The MG66CE is made with a cutaway to allow access to higher frets and is fitted with the excellent LR Baggs VTC system with Element pickup and soundhole console.
We created our Masterworks Series to be the best value all-solid guitar line available to players today. Their specification is incredibly high in relation to their cost and they perform as all-solid professional guitars should, with fantastic response and projection.
Nothing can really match a guitar made from all-solid wood. The deflection of the notes is quicker, the quality of the sound is better, you can obtain optimal response and the sound of your guitar only improves as it ages.
After 55 years of making guitars, continual improvement through the use of emerging technologies, processes, and materials is still at the heart of our culture. Alvarez guitars are constructed correctly in every sense, from raw material preparation to construction and manufacturing processes.
Our tonewoods are carefully cured; our components such as neck blocks and wood joints are carefully designed. The painting, sanding and polishing techniques we use are continually researched and developed, and our tone is impeccably crafted and married to a stable, consistent and lively soundbox.
This caring approach to development comes from one simple goal: To deliver the best guitars in the market at every price point, instruments that are truly amazing value and offer a fantastic player experience.
The term “all-solid” refers to the guitar top, back and sides being made of solid wood rather than laminated. However, even when the guitar is made of all solid tonewood, it only performs to its full potential when it is designed to get the best out of its materials and components. The tops we use in Masterworks are premium grades, which means we can make them slightly thinner to heighten vibration. The radius of both the top and back are also refined to help increase volume.
Each guitar is designed to get the best out of its components, and for them to work together. These components include our FS6 bracing system, bi-level bridges, real bone nuts and saddles, carefully seasoned tonewoods and a thin finish.
FS6 is a forward shifted X brace design. This means the axis of the X is closer to the soundhole, creating a larger soundboard area to harness more energy and vibration. Both the X braces and asymmetric tone bars are carefully scalloped, a design that was the result of continual development in our Yairi workshops. Our FS6 system brings uniformity across Dreadnought, Grand Auditorium, OM and Parlor body sizes, so that the voicing has a similar character, but the individual tone is more purely influenced by the size and shape of the guitar.
The Masterworks personality is open and powerful. FS6 also creates very good balance so both the treble and bass registers are clearly present and balanced in relation to each other. All of our tops are selected by our team and graded independently of our suppliers, then cured with care using traditional ovens and modern thermo-kilns.
Along with a more angled headstock, our bi-level bridge increases string tension by making the break angle of the strings from the saddle to the top more acute. Improved string tension adds to our sound, feel and response, which are also heightened by the use of real bone nuts and saddles.
We hope you can see and feel our unwavering attention to detail and that it inspires you every time you play our guitars.
Thank you for choosing Alvarez.
The AG66CESHB is an elegant and versatile Grand Auditorium offering instant response, clear middle frequencies, and great clarity. The Grand Auditorium’s narrow waist helps to accentuate trebles while the wide lower bout generates plenty of air volume for bass response, creating a dynamic and warm tonal landscape suitable for all playing styles.
The FS6 forward shifted bracing pattern allows for a larger soundboard area to heighten vibration, which is aided by a high-quality African Mahogany top and premium components throughout, all working together to deliver an engaging playing experience.
The AG66CESHB also features a cutaway for access to higher frets and is fitted with the fantastic LR Baggs Stage Pro with Element pick up for an unfailing live performance.
Our multi-award winning Artist Series represents our commitment to quality and design, making it one of the finest solid top guitar lines in the world today.
Artist Series feel right and are exciting to play; whether you are strumming hard or picking lightly, the guitar will do what you ask of it. For a more focused sound with fewer overtones, choose a mahogany top. For a more open projection, go for Sitka. For warmth and response to a lighter touch, choose a Cedar top.
All of our tops are selected by our team and graded independently of our suppliers. If it isn’t worthy, we won’t use it. While top quality improves as you move up the Artist Series models, all are stiff and finely grained.
After 55 years of making guitars, continual improvement through the use of emerging technologies, processes, and materials is still at the heart of our culture. Alvarez guitars are constructed correctly in every sense, from raw material preparation to construction and manufacturing processes.
Our tonewoods are carefully cured; our components such as neck blocks and wood joints are carefully designed. The painting, sanding and polishing techniques we use are continually researched and developed, and our tone is impeccably crafted and married to a stable, consistent and lively soundbox.
This caring approach to development comes from one simple goal: To deliver the best guitars in the market at every price point, instruments that are truly amazing value and offer a fantastic player experience.
The term “solid top” refers to the guitar’s soundboard being made of solid wood rather than laminates. However, even when the guitar top is made of solid wood, the tone of the instrument only improves significantly when the whole guitar is built correctly to optimize the energy a solid soundboard can generate. Artist Series is built to do exactly this.
Each model is designed to get the best out of its components, and for them to work together to produce balance, lively projection and great response. These components include our FS6 bracing design, which allows the soundbox to sing and brings uniformity across Dreadnought, Grand Auditorium, OM and Parlor body sizes. This means the voicing has a similar character, but the individual tone is more purely influenced by the size and shape of the guitar.
Our bi-level bridge is designed to heighten string tension and improve sustain and response. Real bone nut and saddle, premium tonewoods, and our crafted attenuated finish all further the quality of construction and positively impact the performance of the instrument. Artist Series gloss models have a clear deep shine from a finish that is applied as thinly as possible to optimize tone. The personality and voicing of Artist Series is open, dynamic and instantly responsive.
Thank you for choosing Alvarez.
The MD66CE is beautiful and powerful yet understated, with clean lines and minimal decoration. This design language allows the beautiful solid African mahogany top to take center stage, shimmering under a flawless gloss finish.
Sonically, this guitar is everything you would expect from an all-solid Dreadnought mahogany body. It has been designed to deliver a strong and articulate voicing, instant response and more open projection than is normally associated with hardwood tops. Bass frequencies are clear and robust, and the mahogany delivers strong, woody tones with lots of middle frequency and energy, making this guitar a joy to play.
The MD66CE is made with a cutaway to allow access to higher frets and is fitted with the excellent LR Baggs VTC system with Element pickup and soundhole console.
We created our Masterworks Series to be the best value all-solid guitar line available to players today. Their specification is incredibly high in relation to their cost and they perform as all-solid professional guitars should, with fantastic response and projection.
Nothing can really match a guitar made from all-solid wood. The deflection of the notes is quicker, the quality of the sound is better, you can obtain optimal response and the sound of your guitar only improves as it ages.
After 55 years of making guitars, continual improvement through the use of emerging technologies, processes, and materials is still at the heart of our culture. Alvarez guitars are constructed correctly in every sense, from raw material preparation to construction and manufacturing processes.
Our tonewoods are carefully cured; our components such as neck blocks and wood joints are carefully designed. The painting, sanding and polishing techniques we use are continually researched and developed, and our tone is impeccably crafted and married to a stable, consistent and lively soundbox.
This caring approach to development comes from one simple goal: To deliver the best guitars in the market at every price point, instruments that are truly amazing value and offer a fantastic player experience.
The term “all-solid” refers to the guitar top, back and sides being made of solid wood rather than laminated. However, even when the guitar is made of all solid tonewood, it only performs to its full potential when it is designed to get the best out of its materials and components. The tops we use in Masterworks are premium grades, which means we can make them slightly thinner to heighten vibration. The radius of both the top and back are also refined to help increase volume.
Each guitar is designed to get the best out of its components, and for them to work together. These components include our FS6 bracing system, bi-level bridges, real bone nuts and saddles, carefully seasoned tonewoods and a thin finish.
FS6 is a forward shifted X brace design. This means the axis of the X is closer to the soundhole, creating a larger soundboard area to harness more energy and vibration. Both the X braces and asymmetric tone bars are carefully scalloped, a design that was the result of continual development in our Yairi workshops. Our FS6 system brings uniformity across Dreadnought, Grand Auditorium, OM and Parlor body sizes, so that the voicing has a similar character, but the individual tone is more purely influenced by the size and shape of the guitar.
The Masterworks personality is open and powerful. FS6 also creates very good balance so both the treble and bass registers are clearly present and balanced in relation to each other. All of our tops are selected by our team and graded independently of our suppliers, then cured with care using traditional ovens and modern thermo-kilns.
Along with a more angled headstock, our bi-level bridge increases string tension by making the break angle of the strings from the saddle to the top more acute. Improved string tension adds to our sound, feel and response, which are also heightened by the use of real bone nuts and saddles.
We hope you can see and feel our unwavering attention to detail and that it inspires you every time you play our guitars.
Thank you for choosing Alvarez.
Alvarez Artist ukuleles are lively and sophisticated instruments that deliver an exceptional player experience.
Alvarez ukuleles have been carefully designed to bring players an open-sounding and responsive instrument with good projection, rich volume and fine tone.
All Alvarez ukuleles are constructed with a dovetail neck joint for optimal strength and transfer of energy between the neck and body. The bracing design is a modification on traditional fan-style braces to optimize response. This response is also aided by a solid “slotted” rosewood bridge, which enhances projection and helps to make string changes easier and quicker. The AU66TCESHB is fitted with our AUE 20 EQ with built in tuner.
Other appointments and features include quality-seasoned tonewoods, real bone nut and saddles, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and premium tuners.
Alvarez Artist ukuleles are lively and sophisticated instruments that deliver an exceptional player experience.
Alvarez ukuleles have been carefully designed to bring players an open-sounding and responsive instrument with good projection, rich volume and fine tone.
All Alvarez ukuleles are constructed with a dovetail neck joint for optimal strength and transfer of energy between the neck and body. The bracing design is a modification on traditional fan-style braces to optimize response. This response is also aided by a solid “slotted” rosewood bridge, which enhances projection and helps to make string changes easier and quicker.
The AU66CCESHB is fitted with our AUE 20 EQ with built in tuner.
Other appointments and features include quality-seasoned tonewoods, real bone nut and saddles, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and premium tuners.
The stunning MPA66SHB Parlor offers simply incredible craftsmanship, tone and beauty. Our flawless Shadowburst finish looks fantastic over the solid mahogany top and the hand-crafted Paua abalone purfling frames the body beautifully.
We created our Masterworks Series to be the best value all-solid guitar line available to players today. Their specification is incredibly high in relation to their cost and they perform as all-solid professional guitars should, with fantastic response and projection.
Nothing can really match a guitar made from all-solid wood. The deflection of the notes is quicker, the quality of the sound is better, you can obtain optimal response and the sound of your guitar only improves as it ages.
After 55 years of making guitars, continual improvement through the use of emerging technologies, processes, and materials is still at the heart of our culture. Alvarez guitars are constructed correctly in every sense, from raw material preparation to construction and manufacturing processes.
Our tonewoods are carefully cured; our components such as neck blocks and wood joints are carefully designed. The painting, sanding and polishing techniques we use are continually researched and developed, and our tone is impeccably crafted and married to a stable, consistent and lively soundbox.
This caring approach to development comes from one simple goal: To deliver the best guitars in the market at every price point, instruments that are truly amazing value and offer a fantastic player experience.
The term “all-solid” refers to the guitar top, back and sides being made of solid wood rather than laminated. However, even when the guitar is made of all solid tonewood, it only performs to its full potential when it is designed to get the best out of its materials and components. The tops we use in Masterworks are premium grades, which means we can make them slightly thinner to heighten vibration. The radius of both the top and back are also refined to help increase volume.
Each guitar is designed to get the best out of its components, and for them to work together. These components include our FS6 bracing system, bi-level bridges, real bone nuts and saddles, carefully seasoned tonewoods and a thin finish.
FS6 is a forward shifted X brace design. This means the axis of the X is closer to the soundhole, creating a larger soundboard area to harness more energy and vibration. Both the X braces and asymmetric tone bars are carefully scalloped, a design that was the result of continual development in our Yairi workshops. Our FS6 system brings uniformity across Dreadnought, Grand Auditorium, OM and Parlor body sizes, so that the voicing has a similar character, but the individual tone is more purely influenced by the size and shape of the guitar.
The Masterworks personality is open and powerful. FS6 also creates very good balance so both the treble and bass registers are clearly present and balanced in relation to each other. All of our tops are selected by our team and graded independently of our suppliers, then cured with care using traditional ovens and modern thermo-kilns.
Along with a more angled headstock, our bi-level bridge increases string tension by making the break angle of the strings from the saddle to the top more acute. Improved string tension adds to our sound, feel and response, which are also heightened by the use of real bone nuts and saddles.
We hope you can see and feel our unwavering attention to detail and that it inspires you every time you play our guitars.
Thank you for choosing Alvarez.